Tips for building your following on social media

I spend a lot of time on Facebook (since it’s a huge part of my job, at least 40 hours a week). When I’m not on social media interacting and analyzing, I’m reading about what’s new, what works and what doesn’t. Granted, we all use social media for different reasons. For some people, they just want to check up on ex-boyfriends or college classmates to see if they got fat, er, see what they’re up to. Others just want to share photos of their grandchildren.

But many users want to keep the “social” in social media, using the various sites to build their brand, or their company’s, and to gain a following. If that’s you, there’s an effective way to use sites like Facebook — one that will generate likes and shares and comments — and a less-effective way.

If power user status is your goal, there are some guidelines to consider. Hint: Posting regular photos of Grumpy Cat isn’t on the list. We take a look at the anatomy of a good (AKA engaging) status update:

10: Ask yourself “why am I writing this”? Am I looking to entertain or inform (good) or “get back” at someone or be passive/aggressive (not good).

Try this: A quirky, relatable observation or original joke works; writing “He is SUCH a jerk” does not.

9: Then ask “who cares?”: If the answer is your mom and maybe — maybe — three friends, don’t waste your data plan. Unless you’re worthy of the cover of People magazine, no one (again, besides Mom) is really curious how you’re spending an average day.

Try this: ”Ate an apple cider doughnut for breakfast” doesn’t work for power users, but “Those three apple cider doughnuts were totally worth the extra 30 minutes on the treadmill” does. Years ago, Heather Armstrong, author of dooce.com, said, “Don’t tell me you had a bagel for breakfast. Tell me how that bagel made you feel” during one of her public speaking events.Armstrong’s blog is regularly rated in the top 10 most-read blogs in the world.

8: Keep complaining to a minimum: We all complain, (I’ve been known to wish — perhaps a little too often — for an Italian mix sub, a food that’s “banned” during pregnancy) and complaining is absolutely relatable, but no one cares for regular complaining.

Try this: The only people more tired of your aches and pains are the people who read about said aches and pains every day.

7: Think about how the update may affect you in the future: Sure, you really want to bitch about how your girlfriend/fiancee/wife is a no-good, lazy cheater, but then you take her back — and she becomes the mother of your children. Are those words what you really want circulating on the Interwebs for life? (Do a little research; they really are there forever.)

Try this: Stick to griping about your partner to your friends and family, and do it in person. If you must complain about someone, choose a celebrity or the family dog. Neither will suffer from your words.

6: Be witty: Think of the status updates that make you click “like.” They aren’t the ones that say “Good morning Facebook friends, blah, blah, blah,” but rather updates that are quick and pithy. Oh, and we know the day of the week, so pass on the “hump day” and “TGIFs.”

Try this: A status update is not the place to tell a whole story, but rather share the single most important element of a story. Your pumpkin picking trip isn’t that interesting, but the fact you fell and broke your ankle then all the kids in the patch started crying — because the ambulance crushed the gourds — is. (This is a true story.)

5: Accuracy counts: We all make mistakes, but be careful. Last week, someone in my feed wrote Leslie Nielsen died, and tagged it as breaking news. She took it down when I pointed out the “Naked Gun” star left us in 2010. Another wrote there was a shooting in Roosevelt Field Mall. In reality, the shooting was near the mall — a significant difference.

Try this: While we’re taught not to believe everything we read online, we often do, especially when it comes from friends. Don’t be hasty with what you share.

4: Ask questions/for advice: Everyone is an expert, and they love sharing that expertise, but think about your request. “What depression/sexual performance/reflux drug do you recommend?” is a question for a doctor, not social media, but dinner recommendations and parenting or fashion advice-seeking will get you many responses and make for a highly engaging update.

Try this: Don’t get defensive or shoot down anyone’s advice, even if it’s not what you’re looking for. Just because someone offers a suggestion, you (obviously) don’t have to take it.

3: Be relevant: As a society, we love pop culture. Few things meld with pop culture quite like social media. A pithy observation about a popular TV show, big game or awards program will lead to conversation and, as a result, engagement.

Try this: Be specific in your observation, rather than general. The fact you’re watching the red carpet arrivals at the Oscars isn’t that special, but the not-so-minor detail that you just bought a dress nearly identical to Sophia Vergara‘s, is (especially if you have the body to match).

2: But remember Facebook isn’t Twitter. It’s not the place to share a play-by-play on football Sunday or post every song you Storify.

Try this: Leave at least an hour between updates.

1: Be short: You know the expression “get to the point”? People have short attention spans and horrible reading comprehension skills. Be succinct, ideally keeping your update to two (sometimes three) sentences or fewer.

Try this: Type out your status update, then cut it in half before hitting ”post.” If it requires the “read more” link, you’ve written too much.